Major, United States Air Force. During World War II, he joined the Army Air Force as a Private in November 1941, receiving his wings and commission on March 29, 1943 at Moore Field, Texas. He was a member of the 370th Fighter Squadron, of the 359th Fighter Group, and fought in Europe. The Squadron was based in East Wretham, England, from October 1943 to November 1945, and he is credited with shooting down 21.25 German aircraft during the war, making him the highest scoring pilot in his squadron and group. Initially, he flew P-47D Thunderbolts and later P-51B Mustang Fighters. His personal fighter was named "Daddy's Girl." His most spectacular fight occurred on November 27, 1944, when he and his wingman, Lt Robert York, attacked 200 enemy fighters, shooting down 3 apiece. For this he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross. He died in a crash of an F-86 Fighter Jet in February 1951, while making an approach to Otis AFB, Massachusetts. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross (2 awards), Silver Star (2 awards), the DFC (5 awards), the Air Medal (12 awards), the Distinguished Unit Citation, the French Croix de Guerre and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Major, United States Air Force. During World War II, he joined the Army Air Force as a Private in November 1941, receiving his wings and commission on March 29, 1943 at Moore Field, Texas. He was a member of the 370th Fighter Squadron, of the 359th Fighter Group, and fought in Europe. The Squadron was based in East Wretham, England, from October 1943 to November 1945, and he is credited with shooting down 21.25 German aircraft during the war, making him the highest scoring pilot in his squadron and group. Initially, he flew P-47D Thunderbolts and later P-51B Mustang Fighters. His personal fighter was named "Daddy's Girl." His most spectacular fight occurred on November 27, 1944, when he and his wingman, Lt Robert York, attacked 200 enemy fighters, shooting down 3 apiece. For this he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross. He died in a crash of an F-86 Fighter Jet in February 1951, while making an approach to Otis AFB, Massachusetts. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross (2 awards), Silver Star (2 awards), the DFC (5 awards), the Air Medal (12 awards), the Distinguished Unit Citation, the French Croix de Guerre and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
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